MOBILE, Alabama -- Nearly 100 Prichard pensioners turned out Wednesday for a Volunteers of America Southeast luncheon, the service organization’s effort to thank them for their city service.

As the men and women dined on fried chicken, roast beef, green beans and more, Mobile native and New York City musical performer Emily Herring sang show tunes and religious ballads, causing at least one tear to fall.

The luncheon was held at Heron Lakes Country Club.

Pensioners have not received pension checks from the financially unstable city for nearly two years.

“My family, the people I know, we have not walked down the path you have,” said Wallace Davis, the Volunteers of America Southeast president. “But we want you to know that you are not alone.”

He reminded the retirees of the Humpty Dumpty, the fallen star of the nursery rhyme. “What do you do when you’ve had your great fall? When our agenda is interrupted?” Wallace asked. “These are the questions that you are asking today.

“I do not have the answers,” he said. “You have been wronged, and you have been hurt. But you have not been forgotten. You are sincerely appreciated, and the work you did for all those years was not in vain.”

Prichard stopped paying benefits to its approximately 150 retirees in September 2009, when its pension account dwindled to under $100,000 — $50,000 less than what was needed each month.

Negotiations began last month over an agreement that could see partial payments resume and a one-time lump sum given to the retirees. As of Wednesday, the parties were still negotiating the details of the deal, said the retirees’ attorney, Robert Hedge.

About 100 retirees support continued negotiations, Hedge said. Should a settlement be reached, retirees can choose whether to participate. Those who don’t, Hedge said, “will be on their own,” free to pursue other legal action.

Parties were working this week to determine when payments could begin, as well as who would issue them.

“We have to come up with an agreement that is viable long term,” Hedge said. “Otherwise, it doesn’t do any good.”

Wallace told the retirees, “People all over this country are looking at Prichard. Why? Because they realize what has happened here could also happen to them. Don’t allow this disaster to destroy you.”